Is Freddy ready to sign with Sox?
GM Kenny Williams is apparently willing to give some young position players (3B Josh Fields, CF Jerry Owens, 2Bs Jayson Nix and Chris Getz) a chance to show what they can do this season.
But when it comes to pitching _ particularly the starting rotation _ Kenny prefers experience.
That was evident on Thursday, when Bartolo Colon signed a one-year deal to step in as the No. 4 starter.
And don’t be surprised if Freddy Garcia agrees to a similar deal within the next few days.
As reported in the Daily Herald Thursday, Garcia is strongly considering returning to the White Sox.
When asked, indirectly, if the addition of Colon completes the starting five, Williams coyly said: “We’ll see.”
That is code for no, but Garcia might get a better offer from the Mets, Yankees or Rangers.
Either way, Colon’s presence probably means Jeff Marquez (acquired from the Yankees in the Nick Swisher trade) is likely headed for Class AAA Charlotte, which is the right spot.
If Garcia heads elsewhere, Marquez, Aaron Poreda and Clayton Richard are positioned to compete for the fifth starter’s spot.
as much as i like jon garland, he wouldn't come cheap and definitely not at $1 mil. the other problem is that garland gives up a lot of hits and can't seem to get under a 4.5 ERA. in most parks, that wouldn't be a problem, but at u.s. cellular in july, the ball jumps out of the park on check swings (so it seems, anyway).
that said, freddy garcia has only a slightly better ERA, but it had risen significantly just prior to his being shelved in '07. he looked good last year and i think that with a good spring training and a close watch on the number of innings he pitches, freddy could have a very decent comeback season.
personally, i would have rather had garcia over colon, but it's hard to argue with kenny williams when he's only spending $3 mil tops (which would include incentive clauses kicking in).
if money wasn't a concern, i would take garland over either guy. i'm sure he'd be better than colon and most likely better (even slightly) than freddy. but it would mean that buehrle's best bud is back in town and a happy mark buehrle is usually a very good pitching buehrle.
JON GARLAND WILL STAY IN CALIFORNIA WHERE HE WANTS TO BE (HOME) sisters and mother are there. Probably will sign with dodgers.
I agree - sign Garland... but the SOX cannot afford him. Have too much money tied up in DH's...
New York has been linked to Garcia for a possibility to help align an inexperienced back end starting rotation. (possible Yankees 4 and 5 spot pitchers include Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes, and or Ian Kennedy.) A move for Garcia to the Yankees could do two things for them, it could either push the youth to fight out for the final rotation spot, leaving just one opening for Chamberlain, Hughes, and Kennedy. Or it could provided a fierce competitor, when healthy in "big game Freddy". Garcia could be used as bait by the upper powers of Cashman and Hank, demanding home grown talent to produce? Well I do like the Colon to Whitesox signing. The deal was incentive based through innings pitched were a possible 2 million can be earned. Noting wrong with this move Kenny, adding veteran help for one million dollars, which has become chump change in today's MLB. (cheap low risk signing could make Williams look as smart as he did last season when he acquired rookie of the year runner up Alexi Ramirez and traded away first base prospect Carter to D'Backs for Carlos Quentin straight up) We are only asking Bartolo maybe pitch in 20 games and log some 125 innings, giving him close to seven innings pitched in each outing, which would be excellent! So now that the whitesox have applied the full nelson to the youth pitching prospects particularly Jeffery Marquez (came over in Swisher deal, and who has never pitched in the majors), Aaron Pordea (highly sought after left handed pitching prospect), and former Michigan QB Clayton Richard, who can be a great service to the whitesox if he finds consistency. A Garcia to whitesox deal could help give chicago much needed veteran pitching depth. All though some have already disagreed with bringing injury prone Colon back to the south side, some may feel the same to the idea of bringing back Garcia. I find that useing these players is good for a late playoff pushes and a more competitive ball club. I have weighed out the pros and cons and found more pros than anything. If Garcia comes back and is healthy why not take the chance? Also we are already playing our youth in the field so why not set a rotation that can keep the games close enough to compete with anyone. So we can develope the younger pitchers through our farm clubs, and reach incentive based contracts at a low cost and high return. I like these moves because your club could always use pitching.
How about Looper?
Why sign two unhealthy pitchers go out and get a young healthy guy!!! What is wrong with Kenny Williams ? What is wrong with Jon Garland ??? He is only 28 and he is healthy you will have him all year not only a few months he never misses a game. And he gets 18 wins a year. He did win us the World Series in 2005 dont you remember ??? If it were not for Jon Garland The White Sox would of never won!